Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul Awakening (4K)

Time flies like an arrow. Since the unification of the Douluo Continent and the rise of the Federation to its peak, more than twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Douluo Continent, Dragon City, the territory of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

The morning sun shone on the magnificent sect's Martial Arts Arena, filling the air with a solemn yet expectant atmosphere.

Today is the annual Martial Soul Awakening ceremony held by the sect for children who have turned six.

For any Soul Master family, this is a crucial moment concerning the continuation of their bloodline and their hopes for the future.

On the sidelines, a group of well-dressed children with different expressions waited, accompanied by their parents or Patriarch.

Their faces showed the unique curiosity and excitement of children, along with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness.

Among these children, a boy who was slightly thin and dressed in fine clothes but whose eyes seemed unfocused attracted particular attention.

He is Yu Xiaogang.

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang lowered his eyelids, his hands unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes, his heart churning with unrealistic fantasies.

"I, Yu Xiaogang, am the son of Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen! The strongest Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bloodline in the world flows within me! Although... I am only born out of wedlock..."

Thinking of this, a shadow crossed Yu Xiaogang's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even stronger desire. "But so what? Bloodline cannot be faked! Today, I will definitely awaken the strongest Thunder Sacred Dragon Martial Soul!"

Just like my Yu Yuanchen, just like my father! No, I might be even stronger than them! I grew up listening to stories of my uncle becoming a god!

He had already begun to sketch out a blueprint for the future in his mind. "Innate Full Soul Power is a certainty! When that time comes, my father will definitely look at me with new eyes! Those who used to look down on me will all kneel before me." He began to fantasize about how he would make the world marvel at his extraordinary talent.

This grand blueprint was, of course, just Yu Xiaogang's wishful thinking. In reality, it was merely a product of an accident involving Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen.

More than a decade ago, Yu Yuanzhen was ordered by his sect to go out and wipe out a group of stubborn remnants of the old aristocracy.

The plan was to lure the enemy out and annihilate them in one fell swoop. The operation was successful, but while clearing the spoils, Yu Yuanzhen inadvertently came into contact with a rare and extremely cunning, colorless and odorless poison specially made by the nobility—not fatal, but a potent aphrodisiac.

It must be admitted that the nobility truly excelled in this regard.

At the Shi Nian and impetuous Yu Yuanzhen was unable to completely suppress the effects of the drug and had a relationship with a female family Shadow Guard who accompanied him.

Although this was an accident, Yu Yuanzhen, as the son of the Sect Master, acted with integrity and did not shirk responsibility. Afterwards, he took the Shadow Guard as a concubine and gave her a title.

His legal wife, from a prominent family, was unhappy, but knowing her husband's character and the rules of the sect, she did not make things too difficult and maintained a semblance of harmony. Not long after, this concubine gave birth to Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang's mother herself did not have a high level of Soul Power Cultivation Level, only reaching the Soul King level.

Yu Yuanzhen's eldest son, Yu Yunyao, was born to his first wife. He was exceptionally gifted and awakened his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul at the age of six. He possessed Innate Full Soul Power and was highly valued by the sect, who placed great hopes on him.

Yu Yuanzhen himself is the only genius in the sect besides Yu Yuanchen who can follow Yu Yuanchen's path and evolve the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon into the Thunder Sacred Dragon through his own efforts. Naturally, he values his eldest son, who has outstanding talent, even more.

In contrast, Yu Xiaogang, the illegitimate son, was not openly mistreated within the sect because Yu Yuanchen valued family traditions highly, and he did not lack basic cultivation resources. However, he showed a fear of hardship and a tendency to take shortcuts from a young age, which greatly disappointed Yu Yuanzhen, who was already busy with affairs and paid little attention to him.

Yu Yuanzhen thought to himself, "The sect has an eldest son to inherit the throne. Since this son has no great ambitions, he might as well live a peaceful and wealthy life as a leisurely person."

However, an incident that occurred several years ago completely changed Yu Yuanzhen's attitude towards his youngest son.

In the Clan School, Yu Xiaogang got into a quarrel with a member of a collateral branch over a trivial matter. Taking advantage of his status as the grandson of the Sect Master, he attempted to bully him.

As a result, he was taught a lesson by several clan members who saw injustice. After the incident escalated, Yu Yuanzhen investigated and was shocked and angry to discover that this was not the first time he had bullied others by abusing his power.

In the past, these incidents were minor, limited to minor disputes. The school instructors simply thought it was just children being naughty, and because of Yu Yuanzhen, they would give them a small punishment and let it go.

Enraged, Yu Yuanzhen personally enforced family discipline and severely punished Yu Xiaogang. That very night, he made him taste a famous dish: stir-fried pork with a leather belt. In public, he apologized on behalf of Yu Xiaogang to the family of the bullied child for his lax discipline and made it clear that if Yu Xiaogang ever committed another offense, he would not tolerate it.

From then on, Yu Yuanzhen was extremely dissatisfied with Yu Xiaogang's character and ordered his mentor to strictly discipline him in an effort to correct his nature. These years of strict discipline were undoubtedly a "painful" experience for the undisciplined Yu Xiaogang, and it also made him develop a more distorted desire for power and to change his fate.

He was extremely resentful, filled with inferiority and bitterness. He attributed all his misfortunes to his status as an "illegitimate child," believing that this status prevented him from receiving his father's favor and that the collateral disciples and strict teachers were deliberately making things difficult for him.

He desperately craved power, yearning to soar to the heavens through today's awakening and trample everyone under his feet! He longed to be like his elder brother Yu Yunyao —no, even more dazzling than Yu Yunyao. He stubbornly believed that as the Sect Master's grandson, his bloodline was by no means inferior!

"Next up, Yu Xiaogang!"

The sect Elder presiding over the awakening ceremony spoke in a loud voice, interrupting Yu Xiaogang's reverie.

Yu Xiaogang jolted awake, took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed his excitement and trepidation, and stepped towards the Awakening Array in the center of the arena, constructed from special crystals.

Countless gazes instantly focused on him. There was curiosity, there was expectation, but more than anything, there was an implicit... scrutiny and indifference.

Most of the clan members knew about his "deeds" and were also aware of Yu Yuanzhen's attitude towards him.

The Elder ' gazes remained calm and unwavering, except for Yu Yuanzhen, who stood in the main seat on the Observation Platform. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his eyes held a complex expression. After all, Yu Xiaogang was his son. Although he, as the father, disapproved of Yu Xiaogang's personality, he still harbored a sliver of hope in his heart.

His legal wife beside him remained calm, her expression unreadable. Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang's birth mother, the beautiful concubine, clenched her fists so tightly her nails almost dug into her flesh, her eyes filled with tension and pleading.

Yu Xiaogang stood in the center of the magic circle, and following the Elder's instructions, closed his eyes and placed his small hand on the central Induction Crystal Ball.

Buzz--!

The magic circle lit up instantly! Rays of Soul Power Entanglement around Yu Xiaogang's body like living things. A gentle yet powerful force surged into his body, attempting to awaken his dormant bloodline origin.

Yu Xiaogang felt a surge of heat throughout his body, as if something was about to explode inside him! He was overjoyed. "It's coming! My Thunder Sacred Dragon is about to emerge!"

However, the expected scene of Dragon Roar's roar shaking the heavens and lightning flashing did not appear. The light of the magic array flickered a few times, becoming somewhat... dim and uncertain.

The Soul Power that surged into his body seemed to enter a barren land, and the feedback was weak and chaotic.

The presiding Elder frowned slightly and increased his Soul Power output.

Just then, something unexpected happened!

A slightly strange, weak groan suddenly rang out within the magic circle.

"Roar--!"

Immediately afterwards, a blurry golden halo struggled to emerge from Yu Xiaogang's body and landed at the edge of the magic circle. The halo dissipated, revealing... a creature?

It was a chubby, round creature, no more than half a meter long, shaped like a small dog, with a pale golden body.

It had a pair of large blue eyes, its gaze somewhat blank and... timid? It lay on the ground and let out a weak groan. "Roar..."

The entire Martial Arts Arena fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

You could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the thing within the magic circle...? This was Yu Xiaogang's awakened Martial Soul? The direct bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had awakened something... neither pig nor dog?!

Yu Xiaogang was also stunned. He stared blankly at the silly-looking creature at his feet, his mind completely blank. What... what is this? Where is my Thunder Sacred Dragon? Where is my domineering Martial Soul?!

"What... what kind of Martial Soul is this?" a disciple couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

"Never seen before... such a weak breath..."

"It looks... like it doesn't have much of a threat?"

Whispers spread like wildfire, and gazes that were initially surprised quickly turned to astonishment and confusion.

Yu Xiaogang's face turned deathly pale. He felt those gazes, like cold needles, piercing through all his illusions and dignity.

"Detect Innate Soul Power." The presiding Elder's voice remained calm, but a faint sigh could be detected if one listened carefully. He gestured for Yu Xiaogang to place his hand on the Induction Crystal Ball again.

The crystal sphere glowed faintly, its light dimming, and the Soul Power scale that emerged inside struggled to climb upwards, finally... stopping at the very bottom, in a barely perceptible position.

"Innate Soul Power... half a level." The Elder announced the result, his voice clearly resounding throughout the entire hall.

Boom--!

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Yu Xiaogang's mind! Half-level?! The legendary Trash Martial Soul?! He actually had Trash Martial Soul?! Half-level Innate Soul Power meant that for the rest of his life, he would probably have to spend more than ten years of arduous training to even reach the threshold of Soul Master —a level ten Soul Scholar.

"No... Impossible!!" Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, and roared like a madman, "It's a mistake! It must be a mistake! I am the son of Titled Douluo, my Martial Soul should be the Thunder Sacred Dragon! It's Innate Full Soul Power! It's you! It's you who are playing tricks!"

He pointed at the presiding Elder and at the tribesmen around him, roaring hysterically.

"Insolence!" A cold, angry shout exploded like thunder, carrying a terrifying pressure that instantly enveloped the entire Martial Arts Arena. Everyone felt their breath catch in their throats, falling silent in fear.

The one who spoke was Yu Yuanzhen, who was on the high platform. His face was ashen, and his eyes were as cold as ice. Looking at the out-of-control and frenzied Yu Xiaogang in the arena, the last trace of expectation in his eyes was completely extinguished, leaving only deep disappointment and... a trace of disgust.

"The Awakening Ceremony was passed down by our sect's ancestors, and it is absolutely fair and infallible! Yu Xiaogang, stop talking nonsense!" Yu Yuanzhen's voice carried an unquestionable authority. "His Martial Soul manifests in a unique way—a separated Hog Martial Soul. His Innate Soul Power is only half a level, a limitation imposed by his talent, which cannot be changed by human effort. Take him away!"

The last sentence was addressed to the deacon beside him.

Two deacons stepped forward and supported Yu Xiaogang, who was almost limp on the ground with a vacant look in his eyes. The Hog Martial Soul also turned into a golden light and disappeared back into Yu Xiaogang's body.

Yu Xiaogang, like a puppet who had lost his soul, was dragged away by the steward. As he passed through the crowd, he saw undisguised looks of contempt.

He was already notorious in his clan, but now not only has he awakened a Trash Martial Soul, he has also acted so out of control and crazy in public. He has no talent and no character; he is a complete waste.

Every gaze was like a sharp knife, piercing Yu Xiaogang's heart. He bit his lip hard, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet he felt no pain. Only boundless coldness, despair, and... overwhelming resentment!

Why?! Why?! I, Yu Xiaogang, am the son of Titled Douluo! Why is Heaven treating me like this?! Father, why are you so biased?! And all of you snobbish bastards! I hate it! I hate it so much!!

His birth mother watched her son being dragged away, tears welling up in her eyes, but dared not utter a sound. She could only helplessly cover her mouth, her shoulders trembling violently.

On the high platform, Yu Yuanzhen wearily closed his eyes and waved his hand. The awakening ceremony continued, but the atmosphere was completely different now.

The next disciple to appear successfully awakened the pure Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, possessing Innate Soul Power at level eight, drawing sincere cheers. This further highlighted how Yu Xiaogang's previous awakening seemed like a clumsy farce.

As Yu Xiaogang was led away from the main hall, he could still vaguely hear the praises for that genius behind him, as well as some suppressed snickers about him. Every sound was like a needle piercing his heart.

He was taken back to his courtyard. Soon after, his mother, who had rushed back out of concern for her son, arrived at the courtyard gate and saw her son's distraught appearance. Her face turned pale, and her eyes were filled with despair and heartache.

She was merely a Soul King, holding a low position within the sect. Her son's fate was almost predetermined from the moment he awakened.

"Xiaogang..." She stepped forward, wanting to hug her son.

"Don't touch me!" Yu Xiaogang abruptly shook off his mother's hand, his eyes vacant, filled with an almost insane resentment, sweeping over his mother, over the cold courtyard, and towards the majestic Awakening Hall in the distance.

"It's all your fault! You didn't give me good bloodline! The sect has wronged me! And Yu Yunyao... and those who mocked me... I hate you all!"

He screamed and rushed back to his room, slamming the door shut, followed by suppressed whimpers like those of a wounded young animal.

From then on, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan lost one illegitimate son who dreamed of becoming a genius, and gained a boy who was labeled a "waste" and whose heart was filled with jealousy, resentment, and inferiority.

In fact, even Trash Martial Soul isn't without a chance. Leaving aside great opportunities like Immortal Herb or divine blessings, even if he relied solely on himself, choosing to walk the Martial Way pioneered by Yu Yuanchen and persevering, he wouldn't be without a chance to defy fate. It's just that he clearly lacks the perseverance and willpower. Cowardice seems to be something he was born with.